In 1977 Shihan Fujiwara was an Uchideshi of Mas Oyama. On
January 3rd to 5th of that year Shihan and other Kyokushin Karate
students traveled to Mitsumime Jinja; a mountain that stands 1200
meters tall. Mas Oyama had spent 1.5 years in this mountain
training in isolation. Now students of Mas Oyama will spend 3 days
experiencing "Mountain Training".
The first day the students arrived at the mountain. Almost
immediately they started training. The students trained for 3 hours
working on their basics. They did strength drills, sprints, and
physical exercises. There were many different students there.
Ranging from beginners to advanced practitioners; children, woman,
and older.
not pleasant by any means. You were freezing when you went to not
pleasant by any means. You were freezing when you went to sleep.
They had thick blankets to keep them warm during sleep. But
waking up was a trying task in itself. Shihan stated that the
firstfirst night he was there he saw many other students go to sleep
in their GIs. Shihan has just worn a tee-shirt and undergarments.
When we woke up in the morning it was "Sooo cold when put gi on".
When we woke up in the morning it was "Sooo cold when put gi on".
The second day they woke at 6AM and went to the shrine. They
started with "Kito" (prayer) lead by a type of priest "A faith healer".
The "priests" were praying for a good year, health, and good
training. They sat "seiza" on a wooden floor for 15-20 minutes.
Their legs had fallen asleep and they could not walk, many had to
crawl out of the room. After the shrine they started their basic
training again. After their training they all had breakfast. After
breakfast they are allowed a break. Many decide to catch-up on
some sleep and just relax for a while. After the break they then
have lunch. After lunch, Shihan said with a laugh "Major
Training".
There is a mountain road that the students have to run down and run
back up. The run down takes about 20 minutes; but the run up
takes 2 hours. Many try to run as much as possible; but the steep
incline makes this a very difficult task. Many have trouble
completing it.
After Shihan got back he had to make sure everyone else got back
up. He was a "captain" of the team at during the trip and had the
responsibility of looking after students under him. Once everyone
was backup they had dinner. Many people we so worn down from the
hard climb back up to the mountain. After dinner many went to the
bath house. The water was extremely hot and no one got in. Mas
Oyama came and got right in. He "Cooked like a lobster".
Day 3, started with the 6AM wake and up went to the shrine again.
Similar to day 2; but people were extremely sore from the run and
cold that some started to cry. Shihan was sore too; but he was ok.
They finished their training and had their breakfast. After
breakfast they packed their luggage and headed down to the
waterfall.
They got to the waterfall and changed into another gi. The most
experienced went to the waterfall first to break the ice and make a
path for everyone else. The group formed a circle and got into
Sanchin Dachi stance. The continued to throw punches over and
over again. One by one student went to the waterfall while others
waited their turn throwing punches. Since Shihan was a black belt
he was one of the first to go. He went to the waterfall and stood
under it. He punched 20 times, his spirit was very strong, and
punched extremely hard. Shihan said it was an experience that is
hard to describe and that one has to experience it to truly understand
it. After Shihan got back his gi and ice formed on it! No one got
sick; everyone's spirit was so high. They had found and broken
physical and mental limits. Shihan said, "Experience is the best
teacher. Mas Oyama gave you the opportunity to experience.
Something would have never thought of doing. Teachers knowledge
passing on is a great experience".
A funny experience also took place after the waterfall training.
There was a camera man there who was taking pictures of the
students. The camera man wanted to get some pictures of the
students fighting in the river. Mas Oyama told Shihan and other
black belts to go get in the river and throw punches and kicks. They
had to take out their cold, wet, frozen, GIs and put them back on
again. They were so upset at the camera man; but would never say
anything as to not offend Mas Oyama. The top students went to the
river and started punching and kicking while Mas Oyama was
screaming punch and kick harder. The river bed was not easy to
stand on. There was a strong current and rocks on the ground.
Shihan was throwing strikes and a rock came up from under his feet.
He was swept away in the river, "I was so angry at the camera
man!" He laughed about it now; but at the time of the "swim", I am
sure he did not find it too funny. The next year though; the students
had their revenge. The same camera man came to the training and
some students threw him into the river!
Shihan Fujiwara has seen and experienced so much. Many of
appreciate how fortunate we are to have such an experienced and
great man to guide us in our training paths. Shihan said it best with,
"Experience is best teacher". Though many of us will never
experience mountain training, I'm sure Shihan has plenty of
interesting experiences to try our physical and mental spirit.
|
|
